Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool Released Under GPLv2

I am very pleased to announce that Microsoft today released the Open Sourced Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool (WUDT) under the GPLv2.

As we previously explained, the testing and localization took longer than we expected, but the project is now hosted on CodePlex.com, Microsoft's Open Source software project hosting repository, and the code can be found here.

Also, as a result of some necessary changes, while the user experience of the tool will be the same as before, the install involves additional steps.

Originally, for the convenience of customers, we aggregated together additional files, which are separate freestanding executables:

(a) .NET Framework

WUDT is written in C# which requires the Microsoft .NET Framework to run.

(b) IMAPI

The tool uses IMAPI to burn DVDs.

(c) Bootsect.exe

This is part of the Windows 7 bits (found in \boot\bootsect.exe) and allows a USB device to be marked as bootable.

It is important to note that these files were not linked with the original WUDT in a programmatic sense but, instead, were launched via a command line. We have now separated these files for clarity as they are separate programs under different licensing terms.

The new release will provide full instructions for customers on how to install .NETfx and IMAPI prior to installing WUDT. Bootsect.exe will be part of the Windows 7 ISO download on the Microsoft Store.